Method and apparatus for extracting columns from molds

ABSTRACT

A column or other elongate molded part is molded using an elongate tubular mold having a closed end, an open end and a flexible sidewall. After the column or other molded part is formed, it is extracted from the mold by pulling the column or other molded part axially through the open end of the mold. The column may be extracted using an expandable plug or gripper that is inserted into the interior of the column or other molded part through the open end of the mold. The expandable plug or gripper is expanded to engage an inner surface of the elongate molded part.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/991,137, filed Jan. 8, 2016, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/101,693 filed Jan. 9, 2015, thedisclosure of each is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to molded columns and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus for manufacturing molded columns.

BACKGROUND

Columns are widely used in both residential and commercial buildings.Until recently, most columns used in residential construction have beenmade from wood. Molded columns, however, have some advantages overtraditional wood columns and have been gaining in popularity. Some ofthe advantages of molded columns include lower costs, a wider variety ofdesigns, and improved structural strength.

One technique for making molded columns is centrifugal molding. Aviscous resin material is poured into an elongated mold having twoparts. The mold is spun at high speed to force the molding materialagainst the inner surface of the mold. When the molding material hasset, the mold is opened and the column is removed.

One drawback to centrifugal molding is that the mold leaves twolongitudinally extending seam lines or ridges where the mold separates.The seam lines or ridges must be removed to provide a smooth exteriorsurface. Typically, the seam line or ridge is removed by manuallysanding the column. However, the manual sanding of molded columns istime consuming and labor intensive. The time and labor needed to sandthe column translates into higher cost and lower production.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of moldedcolumns by centrifugal or rotational molding processes. The columns aremolded in an elongate tubular mold that is closed at one end and open atthe opposite end for forming the molded parts. The mold includes aflexible sidewall that is made of a resilient material that can radiallyexpand and return to its original condition. The sidewall of the mold ismade of a single piece and does not include a parting line. The innersurface of the mold may comprise a recessed or protruding form to mold aprotruding or recessed relief on or in an exterior surface of the moldedpart. After the column is formed, pressurized gas is introduced to theinterior of the mold. The pressurized gas expands the sidewall toseparate the sidewall of the mold from an exterior surface of thecolumn. The column can then be pulled axially through the open end ofthe mold, even when the exterior surface of the column includesprotruding or recessed details.

Another aspect of the disclosure comprises a gripping tool used toextract the column from the mold. The gripping tool is inserted into theinterior of the column through the open end of the mold. The grippingtool is expanded to engage an inner surface of the column. The grippingtool includes an eyelet, hook, or other feature that is engaged by apulling device to pull the column from the mold.

In some embodiments, the gripping tool comprises an expandable plughaving a flexible sidewall. Pressurized gas is supplied to an interiorof the expandable plug to expand the sidewall of the expandable pluginto contact with the inner surface of the column. When the expandableplug is in place, pressurized gas is introduced into the interior of theelongate molded part through the plug to expand the mold before pullingthe column through the open end of the mold.

In other embodiments, the gripping tool comprises a shaft and two ormore wing members pivotally connected to the shaft. The wing members areconfigured to expand when pivoted away from said shaft and to retractwhen pivoted toward said shaft. Biasing members may be provided to biasthe wing members towards and expanded position.

Although this disclosure focuses on the manufacture of molded columns,the techniques herein described are more generally applicable to anyelongate molded part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a molding apparatus formolding columns including a mold and mold housing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the molding apparatus with the moldinserted into an open mold housing and open end of the mold raised toallow introduction of molding material into the mold.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the molding apparatus with the moldinserted into the open mold housing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the molding apparatus with the moldhousing closed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary mold and end cap forsealing the open end of the mold.

FIG. 6 illustrates a spinning apparatus for rotating the mold.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus for extracting moldedcolumns from molds.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an expandable plug for pulling a moldedcolumn from a mold.

FIGS. 9A-9C are schematic diagrams illustrating the basic process ofextracting a molded column from a mold.

FIGS. 10A-10G illustrate a method of using air pressure to extract amolded column from a mold.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an apparatus for releasing a mold from a moldedcolumn.

FIG. 12 illustrates an expandable gripping device for pulling a moldedcolumn from a mold.

FIG. 13 illustrates an expandable gripping device for pulling a moldedcolumn from a mold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a molding apparatus 10 and extractionequipment 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure isshown. The molding apparatus 10, in general, is used to mold a column 5from a suitable molding material by centrifugal or rotational molding.To briefly summarize, the molding material, such as a polyester resin,is poured into a mold 20. The molding material is initially in a viscousstate, and subsequently hardens to form the molded part. In oneembodiment, the molding material comprises a blend of polyester resinand powdered marble containing approximately 25% to 35% polyester resin.The mold 20 is rotated by a spinning machine 30 so that the centrifugalforce causes the molding material to flow against the inner surface ofthe mold 20. The mold 20 is rotated until the molding material has hadsufficient time to set thus forming a column 5. Extraction equipment 100is then used to extract the molded column 5 from the mold.

As will be described in more detail below, the mold 20 is a single piecemold that is open at one end. The molded column 5 is extracted bypulling the molded column 5 axially through the open end of the mold 20.Single piece molds have not been used in the past because of thedifficulty of extracting the molded part from the mold 20. If the moldedcolumn 5 does not release from the inner surface of the mold 20, pullingthe molded column 5 through the mold 20 may mar the molded column 5and/or damage the mold 20. Another problem is that the molded columns 5may include features, such as rings, astragals or sculptural reliefsthat normally prevent the molded column 5 from being extracted in anaxial direction. This disclosure describes techniques for axiallyextracting a molded column 5 or other elongate structure from a moldwithout marring the surface of the molded part or damaging the mold. Thetechniques herein described may be used even when the molded partincludes rings, sculptural reliefs, or other profiles that wouldnormally prevent axial extraction of the molded part from the mold 20.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary molding apparatus10 for making columns 5 or other elongate members. The molding apparatus10 generally comprises a mold 20 for forming the molded part and aspinning machine 30 for rotating the mold 20 while the molded part isbeing formed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary mold 20. The mold 20 comprises aflexible sidewall 22, a closed end 24, and an open end 26. The flexiblesidewall 22 is made of a resilient material, e.g., silicone rubber, thatcan radially expand and return to its original condition. The sidewall22 of the mold 20 is preferably made of a single piece and does notinclude a parting line. The sidewall 22 includes an inner surface 28that conforms to the desired shape of the molded column 5. In thisexample, the inner surface 28 of the mold 20 generally defines agenerally circular cylinder that tapers outwardly from the upper end ofthe column 5 to the lower end of the column 5. It will be appreciated,however, that the mold 20 may be designed to produce columns 5 ofvirtually any geometric shape including square columns 5, rectangularcolumns 5, oval or elliptical columns 5, or hexagonal columns 5. Thecolumn 5 may include recessed or protruding features such as flutes,rings, sculptural reliefs, or other molded profiles that extend out ofor into the exterior surface of the column 5. Therefore, the innersurface 28 of the sidewall 22 may include a recessed or protruding formto mold a protruding or recessed feature or in an exterior surface ofthe column 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the innersurface 28 of the mold 20 includes an annular channel 30 having theprofile of a desired architectural molding for forming a ring orastragal that encircles or surrounds the exterior surface of the column5.

The spinning machine 30, as previously described, rotates the mold 20while the column 5 or other molded part is being formed. The spinningmachine 30 comprises a mold housing 40, support frame 70, and driveassembly 90. The mold 20 inserts into a cavity 50 in the mold housing40. The mold housing 40 is rotatably mounted to the support frame 70. Adrive assembly 90 including a drive motor 92 rotates mold housing 40about a longitudinal axis that coincides with the center line of themold 20. The rotation of the mold 20 within the mold housing 40 causethe material in the mold 20 to flow radially outward into contact withthe inner surface 28 of the sidewall 28. The rotation of the mold 20continues until the molding material sets.

The mold housing 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The mold housing 40includes a first housing section 42 and second housing section 44 whichmay be separated. The first and second housing sections 42, 44 comprisebox-like casings made of wood, metal fiberglass, or other suitablematerial that are filled with epoxy. Stiffening members 45 are affixedto outer surface of the housing sections 42, 44 to impart strength andrigidity to the housing section 42, 44. The first and second housingsections 42, 44 include flat mating surfaces 46 and 47 formed by theepoxy filling. The epoxy filling in the first and second housingsections 42, 44 define a cavity 50 configured to receive the mold 20.The cross-section of the cavity 50 when the mold housing 40 is assembledconforms to the exterior cross-section of the mold 20. The cavity 50 islong enough to receive the mold 20 with a small gap between the open end26 of the mold 20 and the end of the cavity 50 to receive an end cap 36(FIG. 5) used to close the open end 26 of the mold 20 during the moldingprocess.

In some embodiments, the mating surfaces 46, 47 of the first and secondhousing sections 42, 44 may include complimentary locating features 54for aligning the first and second housing sections 42, 44. The first andsecond housing sections 42, 44 are secured together by latches 58. Thetype of latch is not a material aspect of the mold housing 40. Forexample, the latches 58 may comprise conventional draw latches includinga first latch part including a loop 60 that engages with a second latchpart including a hook 62.

The mold housing 40 includes mounting plates 48 attached at each end ofthe first housing section 42. A mounting shaft 52 extends from eachmounting plate 48 along the longitudinal centering of the mold housing40 for rotatably mounting the mold housing 40 to a support frame 70.

The support frame 70 includes first and second frame sections 72, 74disposed at opposite ends of the mold housing 40. The first and secondframe sections 72, 74 may be interconnected by connecting members 76. Inone exemplary embodiment, the first and second frame sections 72, 74include pillow bearings 78 (FIG. 6) shielded by an enclosure to receivethe mounting shafts 52 extending from opposite ends of the mold housing40.

A drive assembly 90 including a motor 92 is provided for rotating themold housing 40. In some embodiments, a direct drive arrangement may beused wherein the motor 92 is directly coupled to one of the mountingshafts 52 and rotates the mold housing 40. In one embodiment, a gear box94 and drive pulley arrangement 96 may be interconnected between thedrive motor 92 and mounting shaft 52 at one end of the mold housing 40as shown in FIG. 6. The particular arrangement of the drive assembly 90is not a material aspect of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, a drive pulley is mounted to the output shaft of gearbox 94 andis connected by a belt to a driven pulley on one of the mounting shafts52.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an exemplary process for making a molded column 5using the molding apparatus 10. The mold 20 is inserted into the moldcavity 50 and the open end 26 of the mold 20 is elevated (FIG. 2). Ablock may be inserted beneath the mold 20 as shown in FIG. 2 to helphold the open end 26 of the mold 20 in an elevated position. A moldingmaterial is poured into the open end 26 of the mold 20. Once the moldingmaterial is poured into the mold 20, the open end 26 is lowered into themold cavity 52 of the second housing section 44 and the end cap 36 isinserted between the open end 26 of the mold 20 and the end wall of thecavity 50 to seal the mold 20 (FIG. 3). The second housing section 44 isthen lowered onto the first housing section 42 and the latches 58 areengaged to secure the first and second housing sections 42, 44 together(FIG. 4).

The mold housing 44 and mold 20 are then rotated for a predeterminedperiod of time depending upon the properties of the molding material. Ingeneral, the mold housing 40 and mold 20 are rotated for a sufficientamount of time to allow the molding material to set and form the moldedcolumn 5. When the mold 20 is rotated, the material inside the mold 20flows outward against the inner surface 28 of the mold 20. Once themolding material has had sufficient time to set, the rotation of themold 20 is stopped and the mold 20 is removed from the mold housing 40.The extraction equipment 100 is then used to extract the molded column 5from the mold 20.

FIG. 7 illustrates the extraction equipment 100 used to extract themolded column 5 from the mold 20. The extraction equipment 100 generallycomprises a work table 102, a holding fixture 108 disposed on the worktable 102, an expandable plug 120 for insertion into the molded column5, an air supply system 150 for supplying air to the interior of themolded column 5, and a pulling device 160 for pulling the molded column5 from the mold 20.

The work table 102 comprises an elongated work surface 104 that issupported by a support frame 106. The holding fixture 108 is disposed atone end of the work surface 104. The holding fixture 108 comprises endplates 110,112 and one or more supports 116. When the mold 20 isinserted into the holding fixture 108, the closed end of the mold isplaced against the end plate 110 while the open end 26 of the mold 20 isdisposed towards end plate 112. End plate 112 includes an opening 114that is large enough for the molded column 5 to pass through. Thesupports 116 include arcuate support surfaces that generally conform tothe shape of the mold 20. When the mold 20 is placed in the holdingfixture 108, the supports 116 support the mold 20 so that the mold 20 isactually aligned with the opening 114 in the end plate 112.

The expandable plug 120, shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, is configured to beinserted through opening 114 in end plate 112 and the open end 26 of themold 20 into the interior of the molded column 5. The expandable plug120 functions as a gripping tool to grip and inner surface of the moldedcolumn 5. The expandable plug 120 includes an outer plate 122, innerplate 124, core member 126, and flexible side wall 128. The outer plate122 and inner plate 124 are secured to the core member 126 by screws,bolts or other suitable fasteners. The outer plate 122, inner plate 124,and core member 126 may be made of wood or plastic material. Thesidewall 128, which may be made of a natural rubber, synthetic rubber,or other elastic material, surrounds the core member 126. The coremember 126 includes channels 130 that interlock with protrusions 132 atthe ends of the sidewall 128 to hold the sidewall 128 in place. A firstair passage 134 in the core member 126 communicates with the spacebetween the core member 126 and sidewall 128. A second air passage 136extends through the end plate 122, core member 126 and end plate 124 tocommunicate with the interior of the molded column 5. The first andsecond air passages 134, 136 connect to inlet tubes 138, 140 with quickconnect couplings for coupling the inlet tubes 138, 140 to air supplylines 154, 156 as hereinafter described. An eyelet 144 is secured to thecore member 126. As will be described in more detail below, the eyelet144 is used to pull the molded column 5 from the mold 20.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the air supply system 150 comprises an aircompressor 152 and air supply lines 154,156. The air compressor 152serves as a source of pressurized gas and may comprise two outlets thatprovide air at different pressures. Alternatively, the source ofpressurized gas may comprise two separate air compressors, eachproviding air at a different pressure. A first air supply line 154connects a first outlet of the air compressor 152 to the first inlettube 138 of the expandable plug 120. A second air supply line 156connects a second outlet of the air compressor 152 to the second airtube 140 of the expandable plug 120. As will be described in more detailbelow, the air pressure applied via the first air supply line 154 to theinterior of the expandable plug 120 should be sufficient to prevent theejection of the plug 120 when the interior of the column 5 inpressurized and to provide enough gripping force to pull the moldedcolumn 5 through the open end 26 of the mold 20.

The pulling device 160, shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, comprises a winch 162 andcable 164. A hook 166 is disposed at the free end of the cable 164. Thehook 166 is configured to engage with the eyelet 144 on the expandableplug 120. When the winch 162 is actuated, the cable 164 and hook 166apply an axial force to the expandable plug 120 to pull the moldedcolumn 5 out through the open end 26 of the mold.

FIGS. 9A-9C schematically illustrate the process for extracting themolded column 5 from the mold 20. FIG. 9A shows the expandable plug 120inserted into the molded column 5 through the open end 26 of the mold20. Air supply lines 154 and 156 are connected respectively to the firstand second air tubes 138,140 respectively. The hook 66 of the cable 164is engaged with the eyelet 144 on the expandable plug 120. In oneembodiment, air pressure in the range of about 10-40 psi is applied viathe first air supply line 154 to the interior of the expandable plug 120causing the sidewall 128 of the expandable plug 120 to expand radiallyoutward and engage the inner surface of the molded column 5. Theengagement of the sidewall 128 of the expandable plug 120 with the innersurface of the molded column 5 also seals one end of the molded column5. In one embodiment, air pressure in the range of about 20-80 psi isthen applied via the second air supply line 156 to the interior of themolded column 5. As will be described in more detail below, the airpressure supplied to the interior of the molded column 5 causes the mold20 to expand and release from the molded column 5 so that the moldedcolumn 5 can be pulled through the open end 26 of the mold 20. In FIG.9B, the winch 162 is actuated while air is applied to the interior ofthe column 5 to pull the molded column 5 through the open end 26 of themold 20. FIG. 9C shows the column 5 fully extracted from the mold 20.

FIGS. 10A-10G illustrate in more detail how air pressure supplied to theinterior of the molded column 5 facilitates extraction of the moldedcolumn 5 from the mold 20. FIG. 10A shows the expandable plug 120inserted into the interior of the molded column 5. In FIG. 10B, airpressure is supplied via air supply line 154 to the interior of theexpandable plug 120. The air pressure inside the expandable plug 120causes the sidewall 128 of the expandable plug 120 to radially expandinto engagement with the inner surface of the molded column 5. Once theexpandable plug 120 expands into engagement with the inner surface ofthe molded column 5, air pressure is supplied via the second air supplyline 156 to the interior of the molded column 5 as shown in FIG. 10C. Asshown in FIG. 10D, the air pressure inside the molded column 5 initiallycauses the closed end 24 of the mold 20 to bulge outward. The air theninfiltrates between the exterior surface of the molded column 5 and theinner surface 28 of the mold 20, as shown in FIG. 10E. The infiltrationof air between the exterior surface of the molded column 5 and innersurface 28 of the mold 20 causes the sidewall of the mold 20 to expandradially outward and separate or release from the molded column 5 asshown in FIGS. 10F and 10G. In other words, the air infiltrating betweenthe exterior surface of the molded column 5 and inner surface 28 of themold 20 breaks the mold 20 free from the molded column 5. The moldedcolumn 5 may then be pulled axially through the open end 26 of the mold20.

A wide range of air pressures may be used during the column 5 extractionprocess. In general, increasing the pressure applied to the interior ofthe column 5 results in faster release of the mold 20 from the exteriorsurface of the molded column 5 so that the molded column 5 can beextracted sooner. The air pressure applied to the interior of theexpandable plug 120 should be sufficient to prevent the ejection of theexpandable plug 120 when the interior of the molded column 5 ispressurized and to provide sufficient gripping force to pull the moldedcolumn 5 from the mold 20. While the pressure applied to the expandableplug 120 may be greater than the pressure applied to the interior of thecolumn 5, such is not necessary. It has been found that an air pressuresof about 30 psi for the interior of the expandable plug 120 and 60 psifor the interior of the molded column 5 works well for the most commoncolumn 5 sizes.

When the mold 20 is properly inflated, the mold 20 will separate fromthe exterior surface of the molded column 5 allowing the winch 162 toeasily remove the molded column 5 from the mold 20. If the winch 162 isactuated too early, unnecessary stress may be exerted on the mold 20 andthe expandable plug 120. One issue is that pulling on the expandableplug 120 before the mold 20 releases from the exterior surface of themolded column 5 generates a shear which could damage the molded column 5or the mold 20. Further, if the pulling force is applied before themolded column 5 is released from the inner surface of the mold 20, thewinch 162 is pulling not just the molded column 5 but is alsocompressing the end of the mold 20 against the plate 112. When themolded column 5 finally releases with the inner surface 28 of the mold20, the molded part will suddenly lurch forward. Excessive shear forcesmay also cause damage to the expandable plug 120.

In order to avoid such issues, a separate mold inflation step may beperformed prior to the extraction step. FIGS. 11A-110 illustrate anexemplary inflation step. This inflation step may be performed at thesame station where the mold 20 is extracted, or at a separate workstation. As shown in FIG. 11A, the mold 20 with the molded column 5formed therein is inserted into a holding fixture 210. The holdingfixture 210 includes a backstop 212 and a seal plate 214. The seal plate214 is pressed against the open end 26 of the mold 20. An air tube 218including a coupling connects to an air supply line 220 to supply air tothe interior of the molded column 5. The air supply line may include avalve 224 for opening and closing the air supply line. When the valve224 is open, air is applied to the interior of the molded column 5. In amanner similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A-10F, the air flows around theends of the molded column 5 and infiltrates the space between theexterior surface of the molded column 5 and inner surface 28 of the mold20. FIG. 11B. The air infiltration causes the sidewall of the mold 20 toexpand radially outward so that the inner surface 28 of the mold 20releases from the exterior surface of the molded column 5 as shown inFIG. 110. After the mold 20 is released from the exterior surface of themolded column 5, the mold 20 may be inserted into the extractionequipment 100 and the molded column 5 may be extracted as previouslydescribed.

Another problem that may be encountered during the column 5 extractionprocess is when debris forms on the interior surface of the moldedcolumn 5 preventing the insertion of the expandable plug 120. In thiscase, the mold 20 can be inflated as shown in FIGS. 11A-110 and agripping tool as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can be used to pull the moldedcolumn 5 from the mold 20.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a gripping tool, referredto herein as the firefly 300. The firefly 300 comprises a shaft 305having an eyelet 310 at one end thereof, a pair of wing members 330pivotally connected to the shaft 305, and a pair of tension springs 380connected between the shaft at 305 and respective wing members 330 forbiasing the wing members 330 to an expanded position. The wing membersare configured to expand when pivoted away from the shaft and to retractwhen pivoted toward the shaft 305.

The wing members 330 are made from a flat steel plate or other suitablematerial. Mounting brackets 315 are fixedly secured to the shaft 305 toprovide a structure for pivotally connecting the wing members 330 to theshaft 305. The wing members 330 are secured by a nut and boltarrangement 355 that pass through aligned holes (not shown) in the wingmembers 330 and mounting brackets 315. The wing members 330 include aleading edge 335, a trailing edge 340, and outer edge 345. The outeredge 345 of each wing member 330 is configured to engage an innersurface of the molded column 5 and includes a series of serrations orteeth 350. The outer edge 345 is arcuately shaped so that, moving fromthe leading edge 335 toward the trailing edge 340, the outer edge 345gets increasingly closer to a pivot axis A of the wing member 330. Thatis, a first distance D1 of the outer edge 345 from the pivot axis A at apoint adjacent the leading edge 335 of the wing member 330 is greaterthan a second distance D2 of the outer edge 345 from the pivot axis at apoint adjacent the trailing edge 340 of the wing member 330. Due to theshape of the wing members 300, the wing members radially expand when thewing members pivot away from the shaft 305 and retract when the wingmembers pivot toward the shaft.

A tension spring 380 or other biasing member is connected between eachwing member 330 and the end of the shaft 305 opposite the eyelet 310 forbiasing the wing members 330 towards an open or expanded position. Oneend of each spring member 380 connects to a loop 320 secured to the endof the shaft 305, while the opposite end of each spring member 380connects to a spring hole 360 disposed adjacent a trailing edge 340 ofthe wing member 330. As will be apparent, the spring members 380 tend toexpand or spread the wing members 330 while allowing the wing members330 to retract inwardly during insertion of the firefly 300 into theinterior of a molded column 5 20.

A release cord 390 is connected to each wing member 330 to aid inreleasing tension on the wing members 330 once the extraction of themolded column 5 is complete. The release cords 390 connect at one end toopenings 365 adjacent the leading edge 335 of the wing members 330 andpass through guide loops 325 that are fixedly secured to the shaft 305.

In use, the firefly 300 is inserted into the molded column 5 as shown inFIG. 12. During insertion of the firefly 300 into the molded column 5,the wing members 330 will pivot inwardly allowing the firefly 300 toslide into the molded column 5 20. The tension springs 380 will act tomaintain the outer edges 345 of the wing members 330 in contact with theinterior surface of the molded column 5 20. Once the firefly 300 isinserted into the molded column 5 20, the hook 166 at the end of thecable 164 is engaged with the eyelet 310 of the firefly 300 and thewinch 162 is actuated. The cable 164 and hook 166 apply an axial forceto the firefly 300 to the molded column 5 from the mold 20. Due to thegeometric arrangement of the firefly 300, the axial pulling force causesthe wing members 330 to firmly grip the interior surface of the moldedcolumn 5. In general, the greater the axial force applied to the firefly330, the greater the gripping force will be. Once the column 5 isremoved from the mold 20, the release cords 390 may be pulled to releasethe tension on the wing members 330 so that the firefly 300 can beremoved from the interior of the molded column 5.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a gripping tool, referredto herein as the wedge 400. The wedge 400 comprises a shaft 405 havingan eyelet 410 at one end thereof, a wedge body 415 connected to one endof the shaft 405, and an expansion member 450. As explained in moredetail below, the wedge body 415 is received in an open cavity 460 inthe expansion member 450. The wedge body 415 and expansion member 450both include inclined surfaces so that when an axial force is applied tothe wedge body 415 via the shaft 405, the axial movement of the wedgebody 415 causes the expansion member 450 to expand and grip the innersurface of the molded column 5.

In one embodiment, the wedge body 415 comprises a tapered cylinder madeof a rigid material such as metal, wood, or plastic. The outer surface420 of the wedge body 415 tapers inward from a distal end (away from theshaft 405) towards the proximal end. The shaft 405 is fixedly secured tothe proximal end of the wedge body 415. For example, the shaft 405 mayhave a threaded end that screws into a threaded opening in the wedgebody 415.

The expansion member 450 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 455and is made of a resilient material, such as natural rubber or siliconerubber, that can deform and return to its original condition. Aspreviously noted, a cavity 460 is formed in the expansion member 450.The cavity 460 is closed at one end by the bottom wall 470 of theexpansion member 450. The opposite end of the cavity 460 is open toreceive the wedge body 415. The cavity 460 extends axially along acentral axis of the expansion member 450 and an inner surface 465 of theexpansion member 450 surrounding the cavity 460 tapers inwardly from thedistal end towards the proximal end. In one embodiment, the slope of theinner surface 465 of the cavity 460 matches the slope of the outersurface 420 of the wedge body 415. A bottom wall 465 of the expansionmember 450 closes one end of the cavity 460 while the opposite end ofthe cavity 460 is open to receive the wedge body 415. The bottom wall470 includes an opening 475 through which the shaft 405 extends.

The expansion member 450 mounts to an end plate 430 made of metal, wood,plastic, or other rigid material. The bottom wall 470 of the expansionmember 450 may be secured to one side of the end plate 430 by anadhesive, mechanical fasteners, or other suitable securing means. Theend plate 430 includes a tubular sleeve 435 which aligns with theopening 475 in the bottom wall 470 of the expansion member 450. Theshaft 405 passes through the sleeve 435 and the aligned opening 475 inthe bottom wall 470 of the expansion member 450.

In use, the wedge 400 is inserted into the molded column 5 as shown inFIG. 13. During insertion of the wedge 400 into the molded column 5, thewedge body 415 is loosely received in the cavity 460 of the expansionmember 450 as shown in FIG. 13. Once the wedge is inserted into themolded column 5, the hook 166 and cable 164 of the pulling device 160 isengaged with the eyelet 410 of the wedge 400 and the winch 162 isactuated. The pulling device 160 applies an axial force to the wedge 400to pull the wedge body 415 into the cavity 455 of the expansion member450. As the wedge body 415 is pulled into the cavity 455 of theexpansion member 450, the sidewalls 455 of the expansion member 450 areforced outward to grip the inner surface of the molded column 5. It maybe necessary to hold the expansion member 450 in place until enoughgripping force develops to hold the wedge 400 in place. Once theexpansion member 450 has gripped the inner surface of the molded column5, the continued application of axial force will pull the molded column5 out of the mold 20.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways thanthose specifically set forth herein without departing from essentialcharacteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and allchanges coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appendedclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for extracting an elongate molded partfrom a mold that is open at one end, said method comprising: inserting agripping tool into the elongate molded part through the open end of themold; expanding the gripping tool to grip an inner surface of theelongate molded part; and applying an axial force to the gripping toolto pull the molded part through the open end of the mold.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the gripping tool comprises an expandable plug witha flexible sidewall, and wherein the expanding the gripping toolcomprises supplying pressurized gas to an interior of the expandableplug to expand a flexible sidewall of the expandable plug.
 3. The methodof claim 2, further comprising directing a pressurized gas through theplug into the interior of the elongate molded part before pulling theelongate molded part from the mold.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe gripping tool comprises two or more wing members pivotally connectedto a shaft, and wherein the expanding the gripping tool comprisespivoting the wing members away from the shaft to expand the wingmembers.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gripping tool comprises awedge body and an expansion member for receiving the wedge body, andwherein the expanding the gripping tool comprises moving the wedge bodyinto the expansion member to expand exterior sides of the expansionmember out to the inner surface of the elongate molded part.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the exterior sides are made of a flexiblematerial, and wherein the expanding the gripping tool comprises theexterior sides flexing, in response to the wedge body moving into theexpansion member, to grip the inner surface of the elongate molded part.7. An extraction device for extracting an elongated molded part from atubular mold that is open at one end, said apparatus comprising: agripping tool configured for insertion into the molded part through anopen end of the mold, said gripping tool configured to expand radiallyinto engagement with an inner surface of the molded part; and a pullingdevice configured to pull the molded column through the open end of themold by applying an axial force to the gripping tool.
 8. The extractiondevice of claim 7, wherein the gripping tool comprises: an expandableplug having a flexible sidewall configured for insertion into the moldedpart through an open end of the mold; and a first air passage in theexpandable plug, the first air passage configured to connect to a sourceof pressurized gas for supplying pressurized gas to an interior of theexpandable plug and expand the flexible sidewall of the expandable plug.9. The extraction device of claim 8, wherein the expandable plug furthercomprises a second air passage configured to connect to the source ofpressurized gas and extending though the expandable plug for supplyingpressurized gas to an interior of the molded part when the expandableplug is inserted in the elongate molded part.
 10. The extraction deviceof claim 7, wherein the gripping tool comprises two or more wing memberspivotally connected to a shaft, each wing member being configured toexpand when pivoted away from the shaft and to retract when pivotedtoward the shaft.
 11. The extraction device of claim 10, wherein thegripping tool further comprises biasing members to bias the wing memberstoward an expanded position.
 12. The extraction device of claim 10,wherein the wing members contain teeth for gripping the inner surface ofthe molded part.
 13. The extraction device of claim 7, wherein thegripping tool comprises a wedge body and expansion member, and whereinthe gripping tool is configured to expand against an interior of themolded part when the expansion member receives the wedge body.
 14. Theextraction device of claim 13, wherein the griping tool furthercomprises a shaft connected to the wedge body configured to engage withthe pulling device.
 15. The extraction device of claim 13, wherein sidesof the wedge body and interior sides of the expansion member havecomplementary tapering.
 16. The extraction device of claim 7, whereinthe gripping tool further comprises an eyelet configured to be engagedby the pulling device.
 17. A gripping tool for extracting an elongatedmolded part from a tubular mold that is open at one end, the grippingtool comprising: an expandable plug having a flexible sidewallconfigured for insertion into the molded part through an open end of themold; a first air passage in the expandable plug, the first air passageconfigured to connect to a source of pressurized gas for supplyingpressurized gas to an interior of the expandable plug and expand theflexible sidewall of the expandable plug; and a second air passageconfigured to connect to the source of pressurized gas and extendingthough the expandable plug for supplying pressurized gas to an interiorof the molded part when the expandable plug is inserted in the elongatemolded part.
 18. The gripping tool of claim 17, wherein the expandableplug further comprises an eyelet configured to be engaged by a pullingdevice for applying axial force to the expandable plug.